The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — CompleteRousseau, Jean-Jacques
Philosophy
The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
Authors, French -- 18th century -- Biography; Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, 1712-1778
This person boarded a number of young gentlemen who were studying
physic; and what rendered his house very commodious for an invalid, he
contented himself with a moderate pension for provisions, lodging, etc.,
and took nothing of his boarders for attendance as a physician. He
even undertook to execute the orders of M. Fizes, and endeavored to
re-establish my health. He certainly acquitted himself very well in this
employment; as to regimen, indigestions were not to be gained at his
table; and though I am not much hurt at privations of that kind, the
objects of comparison were so near, that I could not help thinking with
myself sometimes, that M. de Torignan was a much better provider than
M. Fitz-Morris; notwithstanding, as there was no danger of dying with
hunger, and all the youths were gay and good-humored, I believe this
manner of living was really serviceable, and prevented my falling into
those languors I had latterly been so subject to. I passed the morning
in taking medicines, particularly, I know not what kind of waters, but
believe they were those of Vals, and in writing to Madam de Larnage: for
the correspondence was regularly kept up, and Rousseau kindly undertook
to receive these letters for his good friend Dudding. At noon I took
a walk to the Canourgue, with some of our young boarders, who were all
very good lads; after this we assembled for dinner; when this was over,
an affair of importance employed the greater part of us till night; this
was going a little way out of town to take our afternoon’s collation,
and make up two or three parties at mall, or mallet. As I had neither
strength nor skill, I did not play myself but I betted on the game, and,
interested for the success of my wager, followed the players and their
balls over rough and stony roads, procuring by this means both an
agreeable and salutary exercise. We took our afternoon’s refreshment
at an inn out of the city. I need not observe that these meetings were
extremely merry, but should not omit that they were equally innocent,
though the girls of the house were very pretty. M. Fitz-Morris (who
was a great mall player himself) was our president; and I must observe,
notwithstanding the imputation of wildness that is generally bestowed
on students, that I found more virtuous dispositions among these youths
than could easily be found among an equal number of men: they were
rather noisy than fond of wine, and more merry than libertine.
I accustomed myself so much to this mode of life, and it accorded so
entirely with my humor, that I should have been very well content with a
continuance of it. Several of my fellow-boarders were Irish, from whom
I endeavored to learn some English words, as a precaution for
Saint-Andiol. The time now drew near for my departure; every letter
Madam de Larnage wrote, she entreated me not to delay it, and at length
I prepared to obey her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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